Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-30
CATARRH.

VlHE TERM CATARRH Is APPLIED TO A
l. peculiar disorder of the nostril- and ad-
lucent parts, which prevails TO an alarming
extent, and Is productive of very serious
The most prominent and characteristic
feature is morbid discharge from the head,
varying in its nature al different times.
In some there Is an almost constant flow
of clear, acrid fluid, but oftener an offensive,
purulent or muco-purlrient, greenish-ye1fcw
matter Is .secreted, which accumulates in
the nostrils or drops into the throat. neces-
stating its frequent removal by blowing the
nose or cxpectOration, and often by both
processes. sometimes patients feel as
though their head was in a state of rotten
ness, so great is the amount of matter dis
charged and so fetid is its odor. The pa
tient Is greatly annoyed by the constant
dropping into the throat. Of the mo bid
position naturally favors the flow downward
his rest Is frequently disturbed from this
cause. Many sufferers are Obliged to lie With
the mead very much elevated in order to
sleep with some degree OF comfOrl.
In others Il tough, yiscid and offensive
phieem cctccts Behind and above the soft
palate, in the passage between the throat and
head, adhering tothc parts with gluish tenac-
ity. Its lodgmcnt cmbarrasses respiration
and creates sensation of irritation and un-
eusiness in the affected locality, which gives
rise to constant and almost irresistible de-
sire to relieve that discomfort by drawing
the mucus into the throat SO as to eject it by
the mouth. This practice, popularly known
as "hawking," is characteristic of catarrh,
and proves as embarrassing to the one af-
fected as it is disagreeable to those around
him. n
Again, the offensive matter hardcns and
deposits itself on the memb brane in the shape
of dry, hard concretions, which are dis
charged by way OF the nostrils or throat in
humps or fragments of deep green tint. In
some cases these incrustatiOns accumulate
to such an extent as to form regular plug
in the nose, which Obstructs breathing and
produce serious discomfort. So firmly do
these incrustations adhere to the point OF
attachment that their removal usually re-
quires the most violent efforts; not unfre.
quently they have to be torn from the mem
brapc. Occasionally solid cast OF notable
size Is expelled, On which there are gen. rally
traces of blood bur in some cases the cast
presents atubular appearance, being of exact
shape OF the nasal cavity. This condition Ia
indicative of liberation, which, in time,
may destroy the bony structure of the nose
and produce subsequent fiattening Of. that
organ.
Cases are occasionally met with in which
thick, visCid, Shiny secretion coats the
membrane OF the nasal cavities and then
putrefies, giving rise to a stencil which is
really overpowering, and sufficiently fetid
to poison the atmosphere of u whole room;
and there are others in which all the secro-
tions OF the membrane are suspended, caus-
ing an unpleasant feeling OF dryness, hea:
and feverishness in the head and nose--a
condition popularly known as DRY
The disease speedily extends to the air
cavities of the bones of the forehead and
face, giving rise to dist essing sensation OF
heavy weight or compression over the fore
head, especially in the region above and be-
tween the eyes. and to II feeling OF fulncss,
neat, irritation, sor ness or pal in the nos
trils near the root of the nose, as well as In
the upper part Of the throat, above and be-
hind the soft palate. Sometimes there ia
pain obstinately fixed in some particular
part; as IN the temple, on the top. Of the
orbits, and, occasionally, pain manifests
itself in the face of so severe character
that IT Is frequently mistaken for neuralgia.
The breath is always tainted, and at times
assumes an xceeding fetid and -siekening
odor. In some cases it becomes so revolt
ingly offensive as to render the sufferer an
object OF disgust 70 himself as well as to
others.
The nasal membrane is thickened and
contested, causing the nose to be stopped up,
sometimes on one side, sometimes on the
other, and often on both, giving rise to "A
disagreeable, stufy sensation in the head,
par0xysms of sneezing.
The voice is weak, Indistinct sand husky,
or OF nasal Character, displaying II sort Of
snlfing quality. Oftentimes there is con-
lnuous hoarseness and discordance There
Is also sense OF irritation in the part,
and frequent attempts to clear the throat OF
phiegm, producing the sound "hem," more
or less iorcibly. In some cases patients
complain OF an uncomfortable feeling Of
fuliness or choky sensation in the throat,
and In others of a distressing and almost
constant dryness, for the temporary relief of
Whicn W they have to swallow frequently
Otnerf; again, speak OF constant bad or
nauseOus taste in the mouth OF throat
The stomach generally suffers more or less
ana becomes weak and irritable: the appe-
utc is capriciolls and nearly always bad In
n nnf f.Arttf Lac a
to perform mental or physical labor with
the usual facility, is nervous, depressed il,
spirits, at times fearful, timid, agitated and
inclined TO drowsiness and sleep, the mem
seriously threatened.
The mucous membrane soon becomes
morbidly sensitive to unfavOrable infiu-
ences, and In spite of the utmost care be-
that at last breath of wind upon the lining
OF the nose or throat becomes productive of
a cold, and gives rise to serious disturbances
OF the respiratory organs. Thus the patient
each attack aggravatlng the disease by CIV
Ing 1t new impulse and involving larger
extent OF surface than its predecessor. In
this manner the difficulty spreads from or.
trachea and bronchial tubes, until, en-
oroaching further and further. 1t reaches
the finer qualifications OF the bronchi, when
put a slight impulse is required to send 1t to
affect other organs in the body, especially
those containing mucous membrane, such
as the stomach, bowels, kidneys, etc.
By the employment OF proper fnhalatIons
In the form of medicated vapor (not steam
or spray we are able to produce immediate
and direct action upon the diseased surface
In the pharynx and nasal passages, for air
will find its way into the most remote and
intricate cavities, where it is utterly impos-
sible to make fluid applications. BY these
means every case can be cured.
Persons desiring treatment by this system
Of practice can use the remedy at home as
well as g. our office, and which will cause
no inconvenience or hindrance to business
whatever.
have seen so many OF these cases cured
hat do not consider any case homeless m,
css the disease has advanced to the s.hes,
ind that both lungs are. seriously involved.
olving the mucus and in contracting ano
lealing the cavities. which nothing else can
10 with the same success. The very best
cferences from those already cured.